Published: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 25, 2013 at 6:34 p.m.

For Thibodaux resident Myron Wright, the holiday season is more than a time to gather with family and friends and celebrate.

The former Thibodaux High School basketball and football player spent Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2002 and the following New Year’s Day in the hospital and now finds great meaning in the holidays.

During a 2002 football game between Thibodaux and H.L. Bourgeois, Wright — then a sophomore — was slammed from behind by an opposing player while blocking an extra point. A vertebra in his neck fractured, causing him to lose mobility in his arms and legs.

“I was shocked. I never thought this could happen to me, being the athletic person I knew I was. I never thought this could happen to me,” he said. “I was nervous and shocked and trying to figure out how to move on in life.”

This time of year brings back those memories.

“It has made me appreciate the holidays so much more. I’ll never forget that year. I was just 16, and at that age Thanksgiving and Christmas mean a lot. Just to be in the hospital during those moments, it was tough. But my family made me not think about it as much. It means so much to me to be with my family,” he said. “Without my family I don’t know where I would be.”

Though some people in similar situations can go through moments of self doubt or depression, Wright said that never crossed his mind.

“It’s been 11 years and I honestly could say that I never got depressed or stressed out. Sometimes I question myself, why I never get depressed or stressed out. I don’t know,” he said.

After settling his thoughts and regaining sensation, Wright turned his attention to regaining his mobility. Though he is still working to achieve that, his confidence has never wavered.

“I honestly believe I’m going to beat this no matter what it takes. I’m going to will myself through it and beat it,” he said.

He has participated three times in Project Walk, an intensive treatment recovery program for spinal cord injury victims, but the $60,000 it cost for Wright’s transportation and treatment in California took a lot of time to raise. In 2012, Wright heard of TIRR Memorial Hermann, another spinal cord injury recovery center based in Houston, cutting his expenses in half.

Wright hopes to begin more intensive therapy in July.

To attend the physical therapy sessions, Wright has set up the Myron Wright Foundation and holds fundraisers to help cover his expenses to travel, live and attend the recovery centers.

Wright said his closest friend has been his cousin, Jarmarritt Alexis, Thibodaux resident and business owner.

Alexis, who was in college in Atlanta when Wright got hurt, said they got close when Wright started his foundation.

“I was shocked when I found out about his injury,” Alexis said.

Alexis said since the injury he’s noticed Wright has grown as a person.

“I think before, his focus was on athletics. His focus now is on trying to change the world, in a sense. He’s more about helping people in any way he can help,” Alexis said. “His whole outlook on life is different. He sees a different picture now.”

Following the injury, it was hard facing his friends at Thibodaux High when he returned to school, Wright said. He didn’t have the answers to the questions they wanted to know.

“It was tough trying to get people to accept that you’re still the same person. ‘Don’t look at me different, I’m still Myron.’ That was a big adjustment for high school,” he said.

After high school, Wright enrolled at Nicholls State University. That experience in high school prepared him for how others would react to him in his wheelchair while in college. His school work was a challenge, but through various technological and individual aids, Wright was able to do most of his class work with relative ease. The biggest obstacle was math, he said.

“I couldn’t write the math problems myself. Trying to explain it to somebody was very difficult. That was the hardest part of college,” he said.

Five years after he enrolled at Nicholls, Wright graduated with a business management degree.

“The first thing I did before I rode across the stage (at graduation), I looked up and thanked God for being with me and allowing me to complete such an accomplishment. It was a big accomplishment. My family was happy,” he said. “It was like a test, something that I proved to myself. It taught me how to motivate myself and how to remain focused.”

Wright has used those lessons when it comes to his physical therapy.

Wright’s struggle has served as an inspiration to members of the community, including his cousin.

“Just seeing him every day and he never complains about anything. His determination and his will to try and walk again. It motivates me to accomplish goals that I have set for myself. Just seeing how hard he’s working toward his goals. It makes me want to work harder for my goals, too,” Alexis said.

Wright now works in the Spine Center of Thibodaux Regional Hospital, entering data for patients that come to the center, as well as the Sports Medicine Department and the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. He enjoys working at the hospital, but is still trying to determine what he wants to do with his life.

“Up until I got hurt, I always wanted to be a pro athlete. That was my goal. Now I’m still trying to find myself, still trying to find my career goals,” he said.

He said he’s considering a variety of options including staying with the hospital or even opening up a youth center in the city.

To make a donation, call Wright at 413-3021 or email myron15@ymail.com. You can also mail donations to the Myron Wright Foundation, P.O. Box 5051, Thibodaux, LA 70302.

Staff Writer Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com. Follow him on Twitter @ja_batte.

<p>For Thibodaux resident Myron Wright, the holiday season is more than a time to gather with family and friends and celebrate. </p><p>The former Thibodaux High School basketball and football player spent Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2002 and the following New Year's Day in the hospital and now finds great meaning in the holidays. </p><p>During a 2002 football game between Thibodaux and H.L. Bourgeois, Wright — then a sophomore — was slammed from behind by an opposing player while blocking an extra point. A vertebra in his neck fractured, causing him to lose mobility in his arms and legs.</p><p>“I was shocked. I never thought this could happen to me, being the athletic person I knew I was. I never thought this could happen to me,” he said. “I was nervous and shocked and trying to figure out how to move on in life.”</p><p>This time of year brings back those memories. </p><p>“It has made me appreciate the holidays so much more. I'll never forget that year. I was just 16, and at that age Thanksgiving and Christmas mean a lot. Just to be in the hospital during those moments, it was tough. But my family made me not think about it as much. It means so much to me to be with my family,” he said. “Without my family I don't know where I would be.” </p><p>Though some people in similar situations can go through moments of self doubt or depression, Wright said that never crossed his mind.</p><p>“It's been 11 years and I honestly could say that I never got depressed or stressed out. Sometimes I question myself, why I never get depressed or stressed out. I don't know,” he said.</p><p>After settling his thoughts and regaining sensation, Wright turned his attention to regaining his mobility. Though he is still working to achieve that, his confidence has never wavered. </p><p>“I honestly believe I'm going to beat this no matter what it takes. I'm going to will myself through it and beat it,” he said. </p><p>He has participated three times in Project Walk, an intensive treatment recovery program for spinal cord injury victims, but the $60,000 it cost for Wright's transportation and treatment in California took a lot of time to raise. In 2012, Wright heard of TIRR Memorial Hermann, another spinal cord injury recovery center based in Houston, cutting his expenses in half. </p><p>Wright hopes to begin more intensive therapy in July. </p><p>To attend the physical therapy sessions, Wright has set up the Myron Wright Foundation and holds fundraisers to help cover his expenses to travel, live and attend the recovery centers. </p><p>Wright said his closest friend has been his cousin, Jarmarritt Alexis, Thibodaux resident and business owner. </p><p>Alexis, who was in college in Atlanta when Wright got hurt, said they got close when Wright started his foundation. </p><p>“I was shocked when I found out about his injury,” Alexis said. </p><p>Alexis said since the injury he's noticed Wright has grown as a person. </p><p>“I think before, his focus was on athletics. His focus now is on trying to change the world, in a sense. He's more about helping people in any way he can help,” Alexis said. “His whole outlook on life is different. He sees a different picture now.” </p><p>Following the injury, it was hard facing his friends at Thibodaux High when he returned to school, Wright said. He didn't have the answers to the questions they wanted to know. </p><p>“It was tough trying to get people to accept that you're still the same person. 'Don't look at me different, I'm still Myron.' That was a big adjustment for high school,” he said. </p><p>After high school, Wright enrolled at Nicholls State University. That experience in high school prepared him for how others would react to him in his wheelchair while in college. His school work was a challenge, but through various technological and individual aids, Wright was able to do most of his class work with relative ease. The biggest obstacle was math, he said. </p><p>“I couldn't write the math problems myself. Trying to explain it to somebody was very difficult. That was the hardest part of college,” he said.</p><p>Five years after he enrolled at Nicholls, Wright graduated with a business management degree. </p><p>“The first thing I did before I rode across the stage (at graduation), I looked up and thanked God for being with me and allowing me to complete such an accomplishment. It was a big accomplishment. My family was happy,” he said. “It was like a test, something that I proved to myself. It taught me how to motivate myself and how to remain focused.” </p><p>Wright has used those lessons when it comes to his physical therapy.</p><p>Wright's struggle has served as an inspiration to members of the community, including his cousin. </p><p>“Just seeing him every day and he never complains about anything. His determination and his will to try and walk again. It motivates me to accomplish goals that I have set for myself. Just seeing how hard he's working toward his goals. It makes me want to work harder for my goals, too,” Alexis said. </p><p>Wright now works in the Spine Center of Thibodaux Regional Hospital, entering data for patients that come to the center, as well as the Sports Medicine Department and the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. He enjoys working at the hospital, but is still trying to determine what he wants to do with his life. </p><p>“Up until I got hurt, I always wanted to be a pro athlete. That was my goal. Now I'm still trying to find myself, still trying to find my career goals,” he said.</p><p>He said he's considering a variety of options including staying with the hospital or even opening up a youth center in the city. </p><p>To make a donation, call Wright at 413-3021 or email myron15@ymail.com. You can also mail donations to the Myron Wright Foundation, P.O. Box 5051, Thibodaux, LA 70302.</p><p>Staff Writer Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com. Follow him on Twitter @ja_batte.</p>